For Arun Bali, director of Ace Voyages travel agency in Delhi, the opportunity to visit the 12th International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Kaziranga was something he had been looking forward to for a long time.
“I have been in the tour business for 25 years. In the last few years, I have organized trips to various parts of the country and even abroad. To be honest, the North Eastern region was not in the preference list of tourists. However, it is gaining popularity and more and more tourists are now eager to explore the region,” said Bali while interacting with Asom Barta.
This was Bali’s third visit to Kaziranga. “It’s wonderful to witness how tourism in the North East is being promoted. This is helping inbound tourists discover and learn more about this beautiful region.”
The ITM is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Tourism, showcasing the tourism potential of North East India to domestic and international visitors. The four-day event concluded on November 29. It saw the participation of 400 international and domestic attendees, including tour operators, hoteliers, tourism entrepreneurs, influencers, media representatives, Government officials, and tourism experts.
Inaugurating the mart, Union Tourism Minister Gajender Singh Shekhawat said, “The ITM is a remarkable opportunity for North East India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world. It also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region.”
He emphasized the significance of hosting the event in Kaziranga stating that it highlights the increasing importance of the North East on the national stage. Reflecting on the progress of the past decade, the Minister noted that development in the region had accelerated.
The organization of the ITM in Kaziranga coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Kaziranga’s declaration as a national park. “The national park has witnessed remarkable growth, with its area expanding from 400 sq km to 1,300 sq kms over the last 10 years,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his happiness in being able to host the ITM in the State for the third time. “This edition of the mart serves as a vibrant platform to showcase the North East’s multifaceted heritage—its culture, folk traditions, and the rich panorama of its historical narratives. Through such engagements, both national and international delegates are afforded the invaluable opportunity to connect intimately with Assam’s illustrious cultural and historical lineage.”
The Chief Minister further noted that before 2014, the region was unstable. However, since 2014, several peace accords have been signed, and militants have laid down their arms. “Peace is the primary condition for the development of tourism. Without peace, tourism cannot thrive. Thanks to the substantial initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, today, barring a few incidents, most of the North East is free from any law-and- order issue,” he added.
Tourism expert Prabahan Puzari, speaking to this newsletter, said, “This is a great initiative to promote the tourism potential of Assam and the other North Eastern States. All States showcased their indigenous products and local resources. There was also a special segment for discussions between local and foreign tour operators to boost inbound tourism, and a buyer-seller meet was organized.”
He added, “Foreign tour operators took back a great experience, with local cuisines from all the North Eastern States being put together on every platter.”
Puzari believes that this well-planned promotional strategy is significantly contributing to the growing inflow of tourists to the region.
A Coffee Table Book titled Guwahati and Around, published by Assam Tourism Development Corporation, offering a visual and cultural deep dive into the city and its surroundings, was also launched at the event.
